New Deal legislation began in a special session of Congress in 1933. Through the Emergency Banking Act and the Economy Act, Congress authorized sweeping powers for the president to begin implementing New Deal programs after they were passed by Congress. More New Deal programs followed in 1934 and 1935.

Emergency Banking Act: Introduced in Congress, passed, and signed by the president—all in one day—the Act provided sweeping power to the federal government to confront the banking crisis. Roosevelt's first fireside chat described the importance of this Act. Among other measures, the Act greatly increased the authority of the Federal Reserve Board, the government agency that oversees banking activity.

The Economy Act: Reduced government salaries and pensions to provide federal money that could be sent to states to provide relief for unemployed workers. Opposed by many Democratic representatives...